New Taipei City, Taiwan — a new city forged from communities surrounding the nation’s capital, which is creating a unified and dynamic knowledge economy.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada — with a renowned waterfront development that will provide Internet at 500 times the speed of conventional residential networks.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada — where reinvention of its agricultural legacy is creating strong growth while preserving a valued heritage .

"This year's top seven group is unusual in that they represent only three nations. However, they collectively are a canvas that represents our movement," Lou Zacharilla, ICF co-founder, stated in a release.

"Each made it to the list by demonstrating how they have begun to fuse technology, culture and collaboration for economic sustainability. They have set a new course for other cities to follow.

"We look forward to welcoming them to New York in June for the selection of the Intelligent Community of the Year."

Study after study notes that cities all over the globe need solutions to a wide range of problems from transportation and the environment to economic growth and education. Intelligent Communities provide solutions, states the ICF news release.

The top seven were chosen from hundreds of evaluated communities from around the world.

The ICF awards happen in New York City in June 2014 during the Intelligent Community Forum’s annual summit, where one of the top seven intelligent communities will succeed Taichung City, Taiwan, as 2014 Intelligent Community of the Year.